Multipurpose audio-visual cassette system

ABSTRACT

A sound motion-picture system employing a film handling cassette within which the film is retained throughout all photographic and audio operations. The film handling cassette includes both an audio station and an exposure-projection station, and the camera and viewer apparatus includes a pair of drive arrangements for progressively advancing incremental sections of such film across the exposure-projection station and for substantially uniformly advancing the film strip through the audio station. To isolate these different film motions, the drive arrangements cooperate with the cassette to provide a free loop of film extending exteriorly of the cassette. A sensing element monitors the loop of film and adjusts one of the drives so as to retain the loop within predetermined limits. In the camera, the audio drive is coupled to the start switch so as to displace the audio drive into a standby position when the camera is not being operated. Additionally, means are provided for eliminating the loop so as to facilitate removal of the cassette from the apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 374,578filed June 28, 1973, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,977.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a photographic system and more particularly toan improved sound motion-picture system employing a multipurpose filmhandling cassette in which the film is retained throughout both theaudio and the photographic programs.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Recent important technological advantages have made it possible toprovide multipurpose motion-picture cassettes from which the film neednot be removed during exposure, processing and projection operations.Exemplary of such new and unique systems are those described in priorU.S. Pat. No. 3,615,127 of Edwin H. Land issued Oct. 26, 1971; U.S. Pat.No. 3,600,071 issued to Rogers B. Downey on Aug. 17, 1971; and U.S. Pat.No. 3,604,790 issued to Rogers B. Downey on Sept. 14, 1971. Each of thesystems described in the aforementioned patents employs a cassette fromwhich the film need not be removed during exposure, processing andprojection operations. In these systems, the cassette is operated in acamera for exposure of the film strip and then subsequently loaded intoa projector apparatus which first subjects the cassette to a sequence ofoperations intended to process the film strip to a viewable conditionand then subsequently projects the developed recorded images.

Advantageously, audio operations may also be included in this cassettesystem. Exemplary of such an audio visual system is described in priorU.S. Pat. No. 3,604,790 of Rogers B. Downey issued Sept. 14, 1971. Thelatter patent describes a film handling cassette in which the film ispermanently retained during exposure, processing, sound recording, soundplayback and projection operations. While the system of the above notedpatent provides a satisfactory audio-visual system, it provides acassette having a centrally located audio station which increasescassette size and requires substantially complete insertion of thecooperative audio elements, such as the sound head, of the camera orother apparatus within the confines of cassette housing during cassetteoperation.

Hence, it is desirable to minimize the structural arrangement of boththe cassette and its operational apparatus so as to simplify thecassette-apparatus interface and to provide an efficient, reliablesystem capable of substantially automatic operation.

Consequently, it is a primary object of this invention to provide animproved audio-visual cassette system.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved compactmultipurpose film handling cassette in which the strip of motion picturefilm is permanently retained and in which the film can be exposed,processed and projected and in which sound information can be firstrecorded on the film and subsequently extracted therefrom.

A further object of this invention is to provide photographic apparatusconfigured for cooperation with a film handling cassette for performingphotographic and audio operations therewith.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a photographiccamera adapted for simultaneous recording of both visual and audioinformation.

An additional object of this invention is to provide projector apparatusadapted for substantially automatic processing and projecting a filmstrip as well as performing of audio operations therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The photographic system of this invention briefly comprises a compactaudio-visual cassette which includes a strip of motion picture filmcarrying a sound track. The film is permanently retained within thecassette housing and the latter includes an exposureprojection station,a normally inoperative processing station, and an audio station. Theapparatus, designed to cooperate with the cassette so as to operate itthrough the different programs comprises means for receiving thecassette in an operative location within the apparatus, first drivemeans for cooperating with such audio station of such cassette tosubstantially constantly advance the film strip through the latterstation, second drive means for cooperating with the cassette so as tointermittently advance the film strip through the exposure-projectionstation, and means for selectively activating the first and second drivemeans and for bringing the second drive means into pressure engagementwith the film strip so as to provide an audio program therewith duringadvancement of the film strip through the projection station.

Cooperation of the cassette with the drive means of the camera orprojector provides an isolating film loop exteriorly of the cassette andbetween the sound station and the projection station. Means, responsiveto the loop size, are provided for controlling the drive means so as toform and thereafter maintain a predetermined loop size extendingexteriorly of the cassette.

Additionally, the apparatus also includes means for eliminating the filmloop so as to facilitate withdrawal of the cassette from the apparatus.In one embodiment, a film protruberance which cooperates with thecassette processing station to partially activate the latter, is engagedby a stop member of the apparatus so as to prevent further displacementof the film towards the projection station, and thus, elimination of thefilm loop at the completion of the program. In another embodiment, theintermittent drive is automatically activated just prior to cassetteremoval, while the constant speed drive is rendered inoperative toadvance the film strip so as to thereby eliminate the free film loop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operationtogether with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood from the following description of the preferred embodimentswhen read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein likenumbers have been employed in the different figures to denote the sameparts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view in elevation, partially cut away to showthe interior, of a compact multipurpose film handling cassette embodyingfeatures of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the cassette shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the film strip employed in thecassette shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4--4 of the film stripshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view in elevation partially cut away of a camera embodyingfeatures of this invention and employing the cassette illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view in elevation of the camera audio mechanism illustratingits disengaged position;

FIG. 7 is a view in elevation of the camera audio mechanism illustratingthe standby position of the latter;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of the motorcontrol circuit employed in the camera shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a view in elevation of a portion of a camera illustrating asnubber and spool drive control employed in an alternate embodiment ofthe camera illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a view in elevation illustrating another operational positionof the control elements shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the motor control circuitemployed with the spool drive control shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view in elevation partially cut away, of aprojector apparatus embodying features of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view in perspective illustrating some of theoperational mechanisms of the projector shown in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a detailed view of a loop control arrangement employed in theprojector apparatus of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention which may be bestunderstood by first referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a multipurposefilm handling cassette 10 is employed. The cassette 10 comprises agenerally parallelepiped casing or housing 12 constituted by a pair ofplanar sidewalls 14 and 16 joined together at their edges by end walls18 and 20 and elongated top and bottom edge walls 22 and 24.

The illustrated cassette is similar to that described in the commonlyassigned copending patent application Ser. No. 227,092 of John F.Batter, Jr. et al. filed Feb. 17, 1973. In this cassette arrangement,the several operations of exposure, chemical processing, drying andprojection of the recorded images is accomplished without transferringthe film from its cassette. In this structure, processing of the film isautomatically initiated responsive to film movement at a given timeduring the cassette operation. To accomplish this, the film spools andthe film itself are operatively associated with the processor asexplained below.

As shown in FIG. 1, a supply spool or reel 26 and a take-up spool orreel 28, to which opposite ends of a photographic film strip 30 areaffixed, are coplanarly mounted within housing 12 for rotation aboutparallel axes. Each reel 26 and 28 includes a pair of flanges, only theupper of which is shown at 27 and 29 to guide the film strip 30 as thelatter is coiled on the reels.

In its path from the supply reel 26, the film strip 30 first encountersa bobulator roller 31, engaging a portion of its periphery as shown, andpasses therefrom across an audio station 32, which includes an idlerroller 33, and thence through a film processing station 34. Beyond thefilm processing station 34, the film 30 extends through anexposure-projection station 36, next passes over a snubber roller 38 andfinally passes to the take-up reel 28.

The audio station 32 is located in end wall 18 and comprises a pair ofopenings 40 and 42, shown more clearly in FIG. 2, which are designed toaccommodate a sound-head e.g. a magnetic recording and reproducing headand sound-drive capstan as later explained in more detail with respectto FIG. 5. Additionally, the sound station 32 includes a support element44 which resiliently supports the film as it passes beneath opening 40.

As previously indicated, the film strip 30 is exposed, processed andprojected without removal from the cassette. Prior to describing theprocessing station and its operation, the projection station will bedescribed with respect to FIG. 1. The projection station 36 includes anopening 46 in the bottom wall 24 which functions to permit image bearinglight rays to impinge upon progressive incremental sections of the filmstrip 30 when the cassette is operated in a camera (later described withrespect to FIG. 5) and to subsequently permit light rays from anexternal source to be directed through the incremental sections of thefilm strip and outwardly of the cassette for projection operations whenthe cassette is operated in a projector (later described with respect toFIG. 12). Hence, the opening 36 first comprises an exposure station andsubsequently a projection station of the cassette 10. To facilitatethese functions a pressure plate 48 and a prismatic reflector element 50are mounted behind opening 70. Additionally, an aperture 52, shown indotted lines, is provided in side wall 14 to permit entrance of aprojection beam.

As previously indicated, the film processing station 34 is activated andcontrolled by the film strip 30 and the supply reel 26. In thisarrangement, the processing station 34 includes a fluid reservoir 62from which fluid is released responsive to displacement of a release tabshown at 54. This release tab 54 is drawn from the processor byoperation of the supply reel 26 in a clockwise direction as shown inFIG. 1. The latter motion of the reel 26 is achieved during rewind ofthe film from the take-up reel 28.

The film processing station, fragmentarily shown in FIG. 1, generallycomprises a housing 60 which includes a reservoir of internal chamber 62containing a fluid 64. The release tab or tear tab 54 extends from thereservoir 62 back upon itself and out of the processing station 34 to anactuating assembly 66 which is coupled to the supply reel flange 27 suchthat upon rewind of the film 30, the tear tab 54 is torn from itssealing position on the reservoir 62 to release the fluid 64 within theprocessing station 34.

The base of the processor housing 60 includes a chamber 68 which isdesigned to receive the fluid 64 when the latter is released fromreservoir 62. A nozzle opening 70 communicates between the chamber 68and the portion of the film strip 30 passing beneath the processorstation such that during processing operation the fluid 64 is permittedto pass to the film strip 30 and coat its entire length. During thiscoating operation a support pad 72 urges the film strip 30 into contactwith the base 61 of the processor housing 60. Initially, the pad 72 isstored in an inoperative, non-processing position and is selectivelydisplaced to an operating position for the processing operation by meansof the film strip whose structure is described in detail with respect toFIG. 3.

Broadly, the film 30 comprises a base of any suitable transparentmaterial of the kind conventionally used for film bases. This base iscoated at least over a portion thereof with a photosensitive coating ofany conventional variety adapted to be developed by a monobathprocessing composition to form a positive transparency suitable forprojection. The supply end of the film is illustrated in FIG. 3 isviewed from the base side, or that is, the exterior side of the filmwhen it is mounted in the cassette, and the emulsion is on the oppositeside. On this base is applied, at least over the central portion of thephotographically usable length 82, an emulsion comprising aphotosensitive coating, whereon a series of latent images illustrated bya series of frames 84 may be formed with a suitable camera. The film 30is formed along one edge with sprocket holes, such as at 86, at regularintervals adapted to cooperate with a drive pawl (in a manner to bedescribed) in either a camera or projector, for incremental advancementof the film. The series of sprocket holes 86 adjacent the trailing end80 of the film is interrupted by a first elongated sprocket hole 88,which by way of example, may span two of the sprocket holes 86. Furtheralong the film in the direction of the supply reel end, the series ofsprocket holes 84 is again interrupted by a second elongated sprockethole 90, which is longer than the sprocket hole 88 and, for example, mayspan three of the latter sprocket holes. As later described in detail,the first elongated sprocket hole 88 establishes an exposure end point(terminating advance of the film in the camera) whereas the secondsprocket hole 90 determines a film take-up termination point in theprojection apparatus.

The use of two different termination points following exposure andprojection is employed to facilitate processing of the film strip 30.For the latter purpose, the trailing end 80 of the film carriesdiscontinuity, in this case, a protruberance or detent engaging element92 which forms a projecting bump or hook, seen more clearly in FIG. 3a,adapted to engage the film pressure pad 72 and to displace the latterpad into operative engagement with the film during initiation of theprocessing operation in the projector.

A pair of raised tracks 93 and 94 are provided along the lateral marginsof the strip 30. These tracks 93 and 94 space adjoining turns of thefilm from one another when the latter is coiled on the film reels so asto preclude disturbance of the processing fluid layer applied, as laterexplained, during the processing operation. For audio operations, onetrack 94 includes magnetic material suitable for sound recording.

Prior to describing the overall operation of the cassette 10, the cameraapparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 5. As can be seenfrom the latter figure, the camera 96 comprises a housing 98 whichincludes a supporting pistol grip handle designated at 100. At theleading end 102 of the camera housing 98 is an exposure mechanism 104which consists of a lens-shutter mechanism designated at 106 and a lightsensitive, aperture control means 108. Also mounted on the leading edge102 of the housing is a microphone unit designated at 110.

Towards the trailing end 112 of the camera housing 96 is acassette-receiving pocket 114. A door member 116 is provided to enclosethe cassette 10 when it is properly inserted within the pocket 114 asshown. The cassette-receiving pocket 114 is designed to receive thecassette 10 such that its exposure-process opening 46 is aligned withthe optical axis 118 of the lens assembly 106 so as to appropriatelyexpose an incremental portion of the film strip 30 when it is presentedin the exposureprojection aperture 46. A shuttle or claw mechanism 128is located in the pocket 114 so as to enter the cassette opening 46 andengage the film 30. Further, the hub 29 of the take-up spool 28 is inengagement with a spool drive spindle 120 which is mounted in the bottomor base 121 of the pocket 114 and the snubber roller 38 of the cassette10 is in engagement with a snubber member or latch 122. The latterprecludes rotation of the snubber roller as later explained in detailwith respect to operation of the camera. The spindle 120 isappropriately driven through a clutch 124 by means of a drive motor 126and, as later explained in detail, in conjunction with a claw mechanism,also driven from motor 126, intermittently advances the film strip 30within the cassette from the supply spool to the take-up spool.

In the camera, the snubber roll 38 is stopped by engagement of its hub39 with a snubber latch 122. When the snubber roll is appropriatelystopped, operation of the claw mechanism 128 to incrementally advancethe film towards the take-up spool 28, by engagement of the claw withthe sprocket holes in the film 30, will momentarily loosen the film fromengagement with the stationary snubber roll 38 and allow the slip clutch124 driving the take-up spool 28 to take up that increment of the filmadvanced by the pawl. Accordingly, between engagements of the claw, thesnubber arrangement in conjunction with the slip clutch 124 prevents thetake-up spool 26 from advancing the film and from thereby interferringwith the intermittent advancement.

As later explained, arrangements are provided in one embodiment of thecamera shown in FIG. 10 and in the projector apparatus to release thesnubber roll 38 for particular purposes. That is, it may be employed inthe camera to eliminate the free film loop at the end of the film run.In the projector apparatus, as later explained with regards to FIG. 13,the snubber latch is disengaged during rewind of the film strip to thesupply spool 26 such that the snubber roll 38 acts as a simple idlerroll. As will appear, this disengagement occurs during rewinding of thefilm.

Prior to completing the description of the intermittent advancement ofthe film strip, the audio mechanism also included within the camerahousing will be described. Essentially, the audio mechanism, designatedat 130, comprises a magnetic head 132, a capstan-drive arrangement 134which is operatively coupled to a capstan drive motor 136, and a loopsensor or loop control switch 138.

Overall operation of the camera is controlled by a trigger member 140,positioned within the handle 100. The trigger 140 is coupled through alever mechanism 142 to a slide switch 144 which activates the electricaloperation of both the claw motor 126 and the capstan drive motor 136. Inthis respect, the camera handle 100 includes batteries or otherelectrical power source which is coupled through the switch 144 to bothof the motors 126 and 136 on appropriate inward displacement of thetrigger 140. As later explained, the control switch 140 is alsomechanically coupled to the capstan drive motor 136 by means of alinkage designated at 146 such that upon depression of the trigger inthe direction shown by the arrow shown in FIG. 4, the capstan drivemotor 136 is also released so as to bring the capstan mechanism 134 andthe sound-head 130 into pressure contact with the cassette film strip30.

In FIG. 5, the cassette camera operation is shown in an operating modewith a film loop 148 extending from the cassette through its opening 42and in adjoining relation to the capstan mechanism 134. Both, the loop148 and audio mechanism 130 operate through an opening 163 in one wall161 of the camera pocket 114.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the sound-head 132 is carried by a support133 which is pivotally mounted at 152 so as to permit pivotaldisplacement of the head 132 from a position partially within thecassette-receiving pocket 114 (see FIGS. 5 and 7) and a position whereit is wholly displaced from the cassette-receiving pocket 114 as shownin FIG. 6. Carried on the head support member 133 are a pair of spacedside guides 154 and 156 which laterally located the film beneath thesound-head 132. Additionally, a stop member 158 depends from the headsupport so as to cooperate with the film discontinuity 92, as laterexplained in regards to the overall operation of the camera. A spring160 biases the head support member 133 towards the cassette-receivingpocket 114 and the capstan drive mechanism 134 is coupled to the headsupport member 133 by means of bracket 162 so as to allow jointdisplacement of both.

The drive motor 136 of the capstan mechanism 134 includes a bracketassembly 164, the bottom of which is shown at 165 in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7,which supports both the motor 136 and a capstan spindle 167 whichcarries a drive capstan 166. The bracket 164 is pivotally mounted as at168 to permit pivotal motion of the motor and capstan in conjunctionwith the head 132 towards and away from the cassette pocket 114. Mountedon the spindle 166 is the capstan 166 and a drive disc 170. The latteris coupled to and driven by a drive shaft 172 of the motor 136 Couplingbetween the drive disc 170 and the motor shaft 172 is provided by africtional element, e.g. a rubber tire-like arrangement 174, which ispositioned in the upper face of the drive disc 170.

Initially, as shown in FIG. 6, the capstan 134 is displaced outwardly ofthe cassette pocket by means of a displaceable stop member 178 whichtakes the form of a cantilever spring, or the like. This stop 178extends upwardly to engage the bracket 162 so as to hold the capstan 166and also the head 132 completely disengaged from the cassette 10 whenthe camera door 116 is in an open position. Closing of the door 116engages and displaces the spring stop 178 towards the cassette-receivingpocket 114 so as to release the capstan mechanism 134 which under thebias of the spring 160 is urged towards a standby position, shown inFIG. 7, where the capstan 166 and the head 132 are held just out ofpressure engagement, e.g. approximately 0.010 inch away from the film,under the influence of the trigger linkage 146.

The operation of the camera 96 will now be explained in detail. Aspreviously indicated, prior to insertion of the cassette in thecassette-receiving pocket 114, the capstan assembly 134 and the head 132are displaced out of the pocket against the pressure of the spring 160by virtue of the stop 178. Once the cassette is inserted in the pocket114 and the door 116 of the camera is closed, the stop 178 is displacedtowards the pocket due to contact of the door. This releases the capstanbracket 162 so as to permit the capstan 166 and the head 132 to bedisplaced towards the cassette pocket 114 and to enter the cassette 10as shown in FIG. 7. This position represents a standby position in whichthe capstan 166 and the head 132 are held slightly out of engagement (atleast not in pressure contact) with the film 30 and represents thecapstan and head position when the camera is fully loaded but is notactually undergoing exposure and sound operations. As noted above, thecapstan 134 and the head 132 are held in this standby position by meansof the linkage 146 which is coupled to a motor bracket 137 so as topermit complete release of the capstan assembly 134 only when the cameratrigger 140 is depressed.

Once the cassette has been loaded in the camera 96 and the door 116closed, operation ensues by depressing trigger 140. This displaces slideswitch 144 to energize the motors 126 and 136 and to displace the cableextension 146 which, as shown in FIG. 5, releases the capstan assembly134 along with the head 132 into film engagement. At this time, theshutter mechanism, not shown, is released and driven from the claw drivemotor 126 so as to permit light rays from the scene being photographedto be focused by the camera lens assembly 106 through the cassetteopening 46 onto the film strip 30 as it is incrementally advanced by theclaw 128. At this time, the drive motor 136 through the capstan 166draws the film at a substantially constant speed across the sound-head132. To provide a free loop of film and thereby isolate the continuousfilm motion at the sound-head 132 from the intermittent motion occuringat the exposure aperture, the motor 136 is designed to advance the filmslightly faster than the intermittent film advancement. This rapidadvancement towards the exposure-projection station causes an excess offilm between the latter and the capstan 166, which excess follows a pathof least resistance so as to form a free loop 148 of film extendingthrough the capstan opening 42 of the cassette 10. The loop 148continues to increase in size, during this initial operation until theloop control switch 138 is actuated to control the size of the loop asexplained below with regards to FIG. 8. The loop extends through thecassette opening 42 rather than looping within the cassette because thefilm is retained or guided in a substantially flat condition between thecassette processor 60 and the support pad 72 etc. between the opening 42and the exposure station 36.

Referring now to FIG. 8, it can be seen that the operation of both theclaw motor 126 and the capstan motor 136 are directly controlled throughthe slide switch which couples them to a camera battery 174. However,while motor 136 is controlled solely by this switch 144, the claw drivemotor 126 is additionally controlled by the loop sensor switch 138,which in its inactive state, couples a resistor 172 in series with themotor 126 so as to thereby reduce the speed of the latter. Initially,the switch 138 couples the motor 126 to the battery 174 through resistor172. This insures that the motor 126 (by means of the claw 128) will atthis time advance the film strip 30 at a slower average rate than themotor 136 advances it by means of the capstan 166. As the film loop 148continues to grow, it contacts the switch 138 which directly couples thebattery 174 to the motor 126 such that the latter motor is driven at anincreased speed, which advances the film at an average velocity slightlyexceeding that provided by motor 136. This reduces the film loop so asto allow switch 138 to return to its normal position (coupling resistor178 in the motor circuit) and allowing the film loop 148 to again growin size until it activates the switch 138. In this way, the film loop148 is formed and then maintained within narrow bounds.

As previously indicated the camera 96 includes a sound microphone 110which is coupled (through appropriate circuitry, not shown) to the head132 so that during advancement of the film strip sound occurring withinthe scene will be magnetically recorded on the film strip. In this wayboth audio and visual components are simultaneously recorded.

As previously indicated, it is desirable to eliminate the film loop 148before removing the cassette 10 from the camera 96, at least at thecompletion of the length of film which is intended to be exposed.Inasmuch as the camera termination point is not at the complete end ofthe film, the film loop 148 will remain unless special precautions aretaken. In the camera 96, the claw mechanism 128 ceases to advance thefilm when the claw reaches the first perforation 88. Hence, at this timeeven though the claw continues to operate, the film will no longer beadvanced past the exposure aperture 46. However, as long as the trigger140 remains depressed, the capstan drive 166 will continue to draw filmfrom the supply spool 26. This means that the film loop 148 would remainat the end of the camera exposure operation. To prevent this occurrence,or that is, to eliminate the film loop 148 at the end of the exposurerun, the stop member 158 is designed to engage the film bump 92 andthereby stop the capstan advancement of the film while the clawadvancement continues. The film bump 92 is spaced a proper distance(approximately equal to the distance from the stop to the claw) from thefilm perforation 88 so that when the latter reaches the claw 128 no loopwill remain.

Upon completion of the camera operation and opening of the camera door116 to remove the cassette 10, the spring latch 178 automaticallysprings away from the pocket 114 so as to displace the capstan 166outwardly of the pocket 114. This displacement, in turn, by means of thebracket arm 162 also carries the sound-head 132 from within the cassette10 so as to permit its removal from the camera. In the camera structurejust described, it should be noted that the free film loop 148 willremain until the exposure run is completed and at which time the filmbump 92 engages the stop member 158. Consequently, if the operatordesires to remove the cassette at any earlier time during the exposurerun, the film loop would be extending exteriorly of the cassette. In analternate embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the camera is designed toautomatically eliminate the film loop at any time during operation uponopening of the camera door 116. In this arrangement, the door 116 isconfigured to automatically operate a snubber release mechanism 181 andtrigger a fixed time interval, drive switch circuit generally designatedat 184.

As shown in FIG. 9 the snubber release 181 includes a rocker arm 182connected at one end 186 to an actuating arm 188 which extends upwardlythrough the base 121 of the pocket 114 so as to engage a lip 190 of thecover 116 when the latter is in its closed position. The other end 192of the rocker arm 182 is operatively coupled to the snubber 122 and thedrive circuit 184. The latter includes a switch 196 and other suitablecircuitry as explained below with regard to FIG. 11. A spring member 194biases the rocker arm to withdraw the snubber 122 and actuate the switch196 when the cover 116 is open as shown in FIG. 10. This actuationwithdraws the snubber lock 122 from the cassette snubber roller 38(shown in FIG. 1) and additionally couples the spindle drive motor 126to the battery 174 as shown in FIG. 11. As can be seen from the latterfigure, the switch circuit 184 modifies the camera circuitry (previouslydescribed with regard to FIG. 8) so as to bypass the trigger switch 144.The switch circuit 184 comprises the switch 196 coupled between thecamera battery 174 and a pulse generator 198. Closing of the switch 184activates the pulse generator which is, for example, a single shotmultivibrator or the like so as to provide a pulse of given duration.This pulse in turn activates a relay or other electronic switchdesignated at 200 which couples the battery 174 to the motor 126 so asto activate the latter. At this time the capstan drive motor 136 remainsinactive. Consequently, the claw mechanism 128 and the spindle 120(shown in FIG. 5) are driven to advance the film further forward withinthe cassette. Since the capstan drive 136 is inactive during this time,the free loop 148 is therefore eliminated. To minimize the amount offilm further advanced by this operation, the pulse generator 198 isdesigned to provide a single pulse of given duration so as to operatethe switch 200 for a precise length of time, for example, to provide oneturn of the cassette reel so as to merely take up the approximate lengthof film stored within the film loop 148. Hence, this arrangementprovides means responsive to arranging the camera for removal of thecassette, i.e., opening of the camera door, for eliminating the freeloop of film and thereby facilitating removal of the cassette at anytimeduring the exposure operations.

The snubber latch 122 is released in this embodiment so as to providefurther advancement of the film even where the claw has reached the filmperforation 88. Hence, in this embodiment the film stop 158 (shown inFIG. 5) which cooperates with the film protuberance is no longer needed.This follows from the fact that without the restriction of the cassettesnubber roller 38, the rotation of the take-up spool 28 will advance thefilm without the aid of the claw.

Advantageously, if the film stop 158 is employed with the circuit shownin FIG. 11, the snubber latch 122 may be left engaged during loopelimination. That is, the snubber 122 may be fixedly positioned on thebase 121 of the camera pocket 114, and only the switch circuit 184activated by the rocker arm 182. In this case, since the snubber latch122 is not released, operation of the film spool 26 when the cover isopened will only advance the film when the claw is engaging the filmperforations. However, the claw is arranged to engage the filmperforations at all times except when the claw reaches the first cutout88 of the film, and operation of the switch 184 and the pulse generator198 will advance the film at all times except when the end of the filmhas been reached. In the latter case, however, the stop member 158 willhave engaged the film bump 92 and cause the loop to be eliminated.Consequently, the loop of film is eliminated at the end of the film runby the film stop 158 whereas the loop is eliminated at other times bythe opening of the door and the activation of the switch circuit 184.

Following completion of the exposure operation, the cassette 10 isremoved from the camera and placed in a combined processor andprojection apparatus 210 such as is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. As can beseen in these figures, the apparatus 210 is illustrated as a rearprojection viewer comprising a box-like housing 212 defined in part by afront viewing screen 214. Positioned rearwardly of the screen 214 inadjoining relation to the top surface 216 of the housing 212 is acassette-receiving slot or well 218 which extends to and is incommunication with the top surface. Mounted beneath thecassette-receiving well 218 is a projection lens assembly 220 and areflector element 223 which in conjunction with a conventionalprojection lamp (not shown) is configured to project film imagesforwardly to the rear of the transparent screen 214 once the cassettefilm has been processed to a viewable condition.

Means are also provided in the apparatus 210 for recording and playbackof sound information. These means include a sound-head, indicated at224, and a capstan drive arrangement 226 which are configured to extendwithin openings 225 and 227 of one end wall 229 of the cassette well218. Additionally, appropriate circuitry 228 along with a loudspeaker230 are provided at the base 232 of the viewer for adequate reproductionof the sound information recorded on the film strip. Further, amicrophone (not shown) is included to permit editing and recording ofsound information on the film when the cassette is within the viewer210.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the magnetic sound-head 224 and the capstandrive arrangement 226 are coupled to a frame member 236 which is pivotalabout an axis shown at 238. The frame member 238 is coupled, by means ofa linkage or push-rod 240, to a cam 242, which as later explained inregards to the operation of the projector apparatus 210, is configuredto displace the sound-head 224 and the capstan drive 226 between aninoperative position shown in FIG. 13 and an operative position shown inFIG. 12 where they are in operative engagement with the cassette 10 andits film strip 30. A spring member 241 appropriately biases the rod 240into cam following engagement. Carried in the frame 236 is a capstandrive motor 244 which is coupled by means of its drive shaft 246 to acapstan drive disc 248. As in the previously described camera, thecapstan drive disc 248 includes a resilient, high friction surfaceinsert 250 of, for example rubber, which provides a suitable surfacecontact and compliance with the drive shaft 246. A capstan 252,positioned on the drive disc 248, is rotatably driven in accordance withoperation of the capstan drive motor 244.

The magnetic head 224 is carried on a support 225 which is mounted forpivotal movement at one end 227. A spring 229 biases the head support225 towards the cassette receiving well 218 and into engagement with anupwardly extending arm 237 of the frame 236. The arm 237 in conjunctionwith the spring 229 couples the sound-head 224 to the capstan drivearrangement 226 so that both are displaced between their operative andinoperative positions in accordance with the rotational position of thecam 242.

Prior to completing the description of the apparatus 210, it should benoted that this viewer is designed to also process the exposed filmstrip to a viewable condition prior to projection. Examplary structuresuitable for such processing is set forth in detail in the commonlyassigned, copending patent application Ser. No. 227,080, Edwin H. Landfiled on Feb. 17, 1972. In regards to the processing operation, itshould be noted that when the cassette 10 is removed from the camera 96,at least a substantial portion of the film strip 30 has been transportedfrom the supply spool 26 to the take-up spool 28. As previouslyindicated, the camera is intended to stop before the supply end of thefilm strip is reached. That is, it is preferred to advance the filmbeyond the exposure termination point established in the camera justprior to applying processing composition to the exposed film. Hence, asdescribed in the aforementioned application Ser. No. 227,080 a doublepawl claw 234 is employed in the projector 210. This claw 234 willadvance the film beyond the first termination point due to its doublepawl until the latter reaches the second termination point, or that is,the second elongated opening 90.

Overall advancement of the film within the cassette 10 is carried out inthe projector 210 by a pair of spindle drives designated at 256 and 258,which as later explained, are driven along with the claw 234 by means ofa second drive motor shown at 260. The spindles 256 and 258 are coupledto the drive motor 260 through appropriate, selectively operatedclutches (not shown) so as to reversibly transport the film between thesupply reel 26 and the take-up reel 28 of the cassette 10. Additionally,to accomplish the overall operation of the projector 210, motion sensingdevices (not shown) are coupled to the spindles 256 or 258 so as toindicate stoppage of either of the film reels occurring when the filmstrip 30 has been substantially completely transported from one to theother. Further, as more fully explained in the aforementionedapplication Ser. No. 227,080 projector 210 is programmed by means (notshown) to reverse motor 260 and control the position of the cam 242 inresponse to these motion sensing devices and in accordance with theparticular stage of the processing and projection operation as laterexplained with respect to the overall operation of the projector.

To control film snubbing within the cassette 10, a snubber latch 262 isalso coupled to the cam 242 and appropriately displaced into latchingengagement with the snubber roll 38 of the cassette in co-ordinationwith displacement of the sound mechanism 226 into cassette engagement.These engagements are achieved by a cam drive motor, such as a steppingmotor designated at 264.

As in the camera 96, the constant speed advancement of the film strip 30in the area of the capstan is isolated from the intermittent clawadvancement by a loop of film 270, illustrated in FIG. 14, which extendsthrough the opening 42 of the cassette 10 and the opening 227 of theside wall 279 of the cassette-receiving well 218.

In this arrangement, a lamp 272 (emitting nonactinic radiation asregards the film) operates in conjunction with a photocell 274 tocontrol the speed of the capstan drive motor 244 so as to form the filmloop 270 and thereafter maintain it within predetermined limits. Thecapstan motor 244 is initially operated so as to advance the film at aspeed slightly in excess of the average speed of film advancementproduced by the claw. Then, once the film loop 270 is of sufficient sizeto intercept the light directed to the photocell 274, the latter reducesthe capstan motor speed slightly (by switching on appropriate resistorin series with the motor 244) so as to allow the size of the loop to bereduced. The loop is then automatically maintained within thispredetermined size. Although the capstan speed is varied to maintain theloop size, the variation is not abrupt and is only a slight change suchthat the sound reproduction remains adequate. Such a system is describedin detail in the commonly assigned application Ser. No. 374,639 of D. T.Scholz, filed June 28, 1973.

Since in the preferred embodiment, the claw drive motor 260 is a motorformer device through which voltage is directed to other components,such as the projection lamp (not shown) of the projector 210, it ispreferable to vary the capstan motor 126. It should be understood,however, that in some applications, the system described for the camera96 could also be employed in the projector 210. In this regard, itshould also be noted that the sensor-switch arrangement for maintainingthe loop of film in camera 96 could be utilized in the projector 210instead of the lamp and photocell arrangement shown in FIG. 14.

The projector operation will now be described. As previously noted, whenthe cassette 10 is first inserted in the receiving well 218, followingexposure, the projector automatically processes the film strip 30 andthen projects the viewable images while also reproducing the recordedsound.

Overall control of the projector program is provided in part by a cammechanism (not shown) which is designed to first initiate forwardadvancement of the film, from the supply reel 26 to the take-up reel 28,while projecting the film images etc., rewind the film back to thesupply spool and eject the cassette. For an unprocessed cassette, theforward and rewind cycle is repeated twice prior to ejection and theprojection operations are prevented during the first transport cycle.This is accomplished by means of an indicator (not shown) carried on thecassette which provides a signal to the projector 210 to indicate theprocessed or unprocessed condition of the film strip.

Hence, in response to cassette insertion in the projector 210, thecassette is automatically operated through a pre-programmed sequence toeither process and project the film or to merely project and rewind thelatter. In either case, the projector is pre-programmed to initiallyengage the claw mechanism 234 and to drive the take-up spindle 256 so asto advance the film to the take-up spool 28. At this time, the capstandrive motor is also energized and the cam mechanism 242 rotated by drivemotor 264 so as to engage the snubber latch 262 with the snubber roll 38and to bring the sound-head 224 and the capstan into operativeengagement with the film strip 30. With an unprocessed cassette, theprojection lamp is held off at this time. As the film strip is advancedforward, only a short distance beyond the camera termination point, thefilm discontinuity 92 engages the film support pad 72 so as to displacethe latter to its processing position where it supports the film strip30 beneath the cassette processor 60. Hence, the film discontinuity orbump 92 cooperates with the stop 158 in the camera to eliminate the filmloop, and then activates the processor.

Since the film has not been previously processed, the claw is capable ofonly advancing the film a short distance before the second elongatedsprocket hole is reached and film advancement terminated. At this time,the snubber 262 prevents further take-up of the film by the take-up reel28 which stops further motion of the take-up spindle 256. Further,although the capstan continues to rotate, the end of the film is reachedat the supply reel 26 which also stops the spindle 258. This stopping ofthe spindles signals the projector to disengage the claw, rotate the cam242 to disengage the snubber latch and the capstan, and reverse thedirection of the film drive motor 260 thereby rewinding the film stripto the supply spool 26, during which time the fluid is released andprocessing of the film strip 30 occurs. That is, as the first rewind ofthe film strip 30 is initiated, the tab actuating assembly 66 isoperatively engaged by a reversal of the supply spool 26 so as torelease the fluid 64 from the reservoir 62 and to the film strip therebyproviding a layer of processing fluid on the film strip as the latter isreturned to the supply spool 28. During this interval, light isprecluded from entering the projection station by means of a blindermember (not shown) which is interposed in the projection path.

Once the film strip 30 has been completely rewound on the supply spool26, the spindle motion again ceases. Since the cassette was previouslyunprocessed, and has so signalled the projector, the film transportcycle is again repeated such that the film is forwardly advanced, duringwhich projection operations are initiated and the drying of the filmstrip is completed. Specifically, once the spindle motion ceases at theend of this process rewind, the projector 210 programs the cassettethrough a projection and an audio playback mode. That is, the projector210 now operates the just processed cassette in a manner substantiallyidentical to that of a previously processed cassette as explained below.

Consequently, following the process rewind or upon insertion of apreviously processed cassette in the projector 210, the cam drive motor264 is activated so as to displace the snubber latch 262 into cassetteengagement and to operate push rod 240 so as to displace the sound-head224 and the capstan into film engagement. At this time, operation ofboth the capstan drive motor 246 and the claw drive motor 260 areinitiated, the claw drive motor being energized so as to drive the clawand the take-up spindle 256 to incrementally advance the film strip 30in a forward direction across the exposure-projection opening 46. Theprojection lamp (not shown) is energized so as to direct a beam of lightthrough the incremental portions of the film strip presented at theexposure-projection station so as to display the recorded images.

As the claw 234 advances the film incrementally across the exposurestation 46, the capstan also advances the film strip 30 across themagnetic sound-head 224. Initially, the advancement of the film due tothe capstan is faster than the average advancement due to the claw suchthat the free film loop is formed. As indicated previously, the size ofthe loop is then controlled by the light 272 and photocell 274 whichoperate to slowly speed up and slow down the capstan drive motor 246.

During this operation, the sound-head is operative in conjunction withthe speaker 230 to play back sound previously recorded on the film trackduring the camera operation. Upon completion of the forward advancementof the film during projection and playback, the film 30 is again rewoundin the manner described with regards to processing rewind, and thecassette 10 is partially ejected from the projector 210 to complete theprogram.

It should be noted that inasmuch as the film strip is always rewoundduring which time the capstan mechanism is inoperative, i.e., displacedfrom the cassette 10, the loop 270 is eliminated prior to removal of thecassette from the projector 210.

Those familiar with the motion picture arts will readily appreciate thenovel and highly unique advantages of this audio-visual system employinga highly compact cassette in which the film is permanently retained, inconjunction with camera and projector apparatus providing both recordingand playback of audio and visual information. The apparatus cooperateswith the cassette to automatically form, control and to subsequentlyremove an isolating film loop located between the audio andexposure-projection stations of the cassette.

This invention may be practiced or embodied in still other ways withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential character thereof. The preferredembodiments described herein are therefore illustrative and notrestricted, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims and all variations which come within the meaning of the claimsare intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A film handling cassette for use withaudiophotographic apparatus, the apparatus including first and seconddrive means for advancing a strip of film having a perforated edge, saidfirst drive means including a capstan arrangement configured foradvancing said film strip in accordance with capstan pressure engagementtherewith, said second drive means including a shuttle drive configuredfor advancing said film strip in accordance with shuttle engagement ofsaid perforated edge of said film strip, said cassette comprising ahousing, a strip of photographic film material retained within saidhousing, means for guiding said film strip in a given direction along agiven path within said housing, means for defining an opening in saidhousing for facilitating performance of a photographic program and anaudio program with said film strip, said opening defining meansincluding means for receiving the first drive means for engagement withsaid film strip at a first location along said given path and forreceiving the second drive means in engagement with said film strip at asecond location along said given path so that said film strip isadvanced in said given direction from said first location to said secondlocation, said guiding means including means for defining a minimumlength of film path between said first and second locations and forstoring an excess of film between said first and second locations in afree film loop extending out of said opening defining means andexteriorly of said housing, and said film strip including a first andsecond discontinuity located near the trailing end of said film stripwith said first discontinuity interposed between said seconddiscontinuity and said trailing end of said film strip, said seconddiscontinuity including an interruption in said perforated edge of saidfilm strip, said interruption being configured for disabling filmcooperation with the second drive means so as to preclude advancement ofsaid second discontinuity past said second location, said firstdiscontinuity including means for engaging the first drive means topreclude advancement of said first discontinuity past said firstlocation, and said first and second discontinuity being spaced from eachother along said film strip a distance substantially equal to saidminimum path length for halting the advancement of said firstdiscontinuity at said first location while said second discontinuity isfurther advanced to said second location to automatically withdraw saidfilm loop back into said housing responsive to advancement of said firstand second film discontinuities respectively to said first and secondlocations.
 2. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said first discontinuitycomprises a protuberance extending from one surface of said film stripand configured to engage a portion of said first drive means so as topreclude further advancement of said film strip therepast.
 3. Thecassette of claim 1 including selectively operable processing means fordepositing a coating of processing fluid on said film strip, saidprocessing means including means for rendering said processing means atleast partially enabled responsive to engagement with said firstdiscontinuity.